On the eastern outskirts of Merano you’ll find Botanic Gardens which invite to a journey across the flora of our planet
Image gallery: Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
Undoubtedly the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle - "Gärten von Schloss Trauttmansdorff" in German, "Giardini di Castel Trauttmansdorff" in Italian - are one of the highlights of the spa town of Merano and among the most visited places in South Tyrol. Exploring these magnificient flower gardens is like travelling across the botanic world. The gardens enchant the visitors thanks to their extraordinary diversity as well as their harmonic ensemble: More than 80 garden landscapes are spread on a total surface of 12 hectares. The vegetation benefits from the mild climate of sun-spoilt Merano. There are four garden worlds: In the "Forests of the World" there are indigenous conifer forests from North America and East Asia, ferns, living fossils and rice and tea terraces. The section also includes an aviary with colourful birds and parrots.
The sunny slope extending beneath the castle - called "Sun Gardens" - is characterised by a rather Mediterranean flair and citrus fruits, cypresses and beguiling odours of lavander, salvia and rosemary. The "Landscapes of South Tyrol", however, reflect the varied local fauna. An indigenous downy oak forest, alluvial forests and chestnut forests characterise the landscape. This is also where the golden replica of a 7,000 year old grape pipe hides, a present of Georgia. Finally there are the "Water and Terraced Gardens" with their huge water lily pond and the lake stage, where every year in summer the Trauttmansdorff Garden Concerts take place. Renaissance gardens, an English cottage and a maze as well as several artistic pavilions also enchant the visitors.
What you absolutely don't have to miss is the view from the amazing "Matteo Thun's Viewing Platform". On the occasion of the 10th birthday in 2011, in the "Most beautiful botanic garden of Italy" the Botanical Underworld was inaugurated, five years later, the new "Garden for Lovers" with was opened. In 2021, however, the Garden's annual theme "Diversity" has been honoured by the European Award for Ecological Gardening. And how to reach the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle? They are well signposted. A large parking space (subject to charge) is located opposite the entrance in Maia Alta, furthermore the bus no. 4 or 1B stops here. The Sissi Path, however, a 45-minute walk, leads you from the centre of Merano to the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.
Contact info
- Via S. Valentino / St.-Valentin-Strasse 51a - 39012 - Merano / Meran
- +39 0473 255600
- info@trauttmansdorff.it
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
admission to the Botanic Gardens and the Touriseum:
€ 17.00 adults
€ 15.00 seniors 65+
€ 14.00 groups (15 and more persons)
€ 14.00 students (up to 27 years)
€ 14.00 people with disabilities
€ 8.00 children and young people (6-17 years)
€ 4.50 school classes
free for children under 6 years
------------------------------------------
family ticket:
€ 21.00 1 adult with max. 4 children
€ 38.00 2 adults with max. 4 children
------------------------------------------
Summer Night Ticket (Fridays in June, July, and August from 6 pm):
€ 10.00 per person
€ 12.00 families (1 adult with max. 4 children)
€ 22.00 families (2 adults with max. 4 children)
------------------------------------------
Late Autumn Ticket (November to the end of the season):
€ 10.00 per person
free for children and young people under 18 years
------------------------------------------
parking:
€ 5.00 all day
More information
Trauttmansdorff Castle with the Botanic Gardens and the Touriseum stays open every day from April to November. It remains closed in winter (the Light Park LUMAGICA, which will take place from Nov 20, 2025, to Jan 6, 2026, will be set up in the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle).
During the concert evenings at the Botanic Gardens in summer (June 19, July 31, August 14 and 28), called "Garden Nights 2025", the reduced opening hours also apply to the Touriseum.
The restaurant, the Palm Café, and the shop also share the same opening times. Pets are not allowed. Season start 2025 on the 1st of April.